Recommencing the Forward March of

Labour  

Raymond MarkeyCentre for Workforce Futures

Macquarie University

introductionintroductionEric Hobsbawm 1978 lecture Eric Hobsbawm 1978 lecture The Forward March of Labour The Forward March of Labour Halted?Halted?

•Analysed British Labour Party’s declining support base & drew Analysed British Labour Party’s declining support base & drew on historical record to suggest ways forwardon historical record to suggest ways forward

•In same spirit I draw on ALP’s historical experience to address In same spirit I draw on ALP’s historical experience to address need for reform as support base has witheredneed for reform as support base has withered

•Numerous reform proposals, some adopted, but most shallowNumerous reform proposals, some adopted, but most shallow

•Particular focus on trade unions/party relationship & decline of Particular focus on trade unions/party relationship & decline of classic social democratic natureclassic social democratic nature

•Weakening relationship with unions a strategic error, but Weakening relationship with unions a strategic error, but relationship requires renovationrelationship requires renovation

•Historical record suggests way forward combining labour & Historical record suggests way forward combining labour & citizen citizen repertoires of contention repertoires of contention that also maintain essential that also maintain essential nature of partynature of party

The problemThe problem• ALP holds office in only 2 States (SA & Vic) & 1 Territory (ACT) ALP holds office in only 2 States (SA & Vic) & 1 Territory (ACT)

+ probably Qld– all bar Vic minority governments+ probably Qld– all bar Vic minority governments• In preceding 5 years ALP lost government in Vic. (2010), NSW In preceding 5 years ALP lost government in Vic. (2010), NSW

(2011), Qld (2012), NT (2012), Tas. (2014), & nationally (2011), Qld (2012), NT (2012), Tas. (2014), & nationally (2013)(2013)

• Large scale of defeats Large scale of defeats - NSWNSW: ALP suffered 13% swing, gained 25% of primary vote & 20 : ALP suffered 13% swing, gained 25% of primary vote & 20

seats of 93 – worst defeat of any govt in NSW history, worst seats of 93 – worst defeat of any govt in NSW history, worst swing against any Aust govt since WW2, & lowest % vote & seats swing against any Aust govt since WW2, & lowest % vote & seats since 1901since 1901

- QldQld: 16% swing, 27% primary vote, 7 of 87 seats – lowest % votes : 16% swing, 27% primary vote, 7 of 87 seats – lowest % votes since 1907 & seats since 1893since 1907 & seats since 1893

- FederalFederal: 33% primary vote (Reps) lowest since 1931 but really : 33% primary vote (Reps) lowest since 1931 but really 19031903

• Special issues at play, & huge swings back to ALP in Qld Special issues at play, & huge swings back to ALP in Qld 2015 & Vic 2014 after 1-term governments, but2015 & Vic 2014 after 1-term governments, but

Long term declineLong term decline• In 9 federal elections since 1987 when Hawke was returned as In 9 federal elections since 1987 when Hawke was returned as

PM with 46% vote, ALP’s primary vote exceeded 40% only PM with 46% vote, ALP’s primary vote exceeded 40% only twice:twice:- 1993 (45%) & 2007 (43%) which won it office1993 (45%) & 2007 (43%) which won it office- 40% insufficient in 1998, though 39% in 1990 won office for ALP40% insufficient in 1998, though 39% in 1990 won office for ALP

• In preceding 30 elections 1906-87 ALP vote <40% only in 1931 In preceding 30 elections 1906-87 ALP vote <40% only in 1931 & 1934 but exceptional because of Lang Labor split& 1934 but exceptional because of Lang Labor split

• ALP average primary vote for Reps: 39.3% 1990-2013, 46.5% ALP average primary vote for Reps: 39.3% 1990-2013, 46.5% 1910-871910-87

• Several reasons, affecting Labour /SDPs parties internationally:Several reasons, affecting Labour /SDPs parties internationally:- Voters & electorates more volatileVoters & electorates more volatile- Decline in class consciousness & collectivismDecline in class consciousness & collectivism- Decline in traditional blue collar working classDecline in traditional blue collar working class- Decline in party membershipDecline in party membership- Impacting all parties & civic organisationsImpacting all parties & civic organisations- Growth in independents & minority governments as resultGrowth in independents & minority governments as result

unions/party relationshipunions/party relationship

• Big impact of declining union membership: 56% 1975, to Big impact of declining union membership: 56% 1975, to 17% 2014, private sector 12%17% 2014, private sector 12%

• Unions founded ALP & maintain strong institutional links:Unions founded ALP & maintain strong institutional links:• integration based on individual union affiliation- also typifies integration based on individual union affiliation- also typifies

other LPs – UK, NZother LPs – UK, NZ• gives unions representation in internal structures, forums gives unions representation in internal structures, forums

processes; influence in choice of parliamentary candidatesprocesses; influence in choice of parliamentary candidates• Unions rely on ‘quiet’ internal lobbyingUnions rely on ‘quiet’ internal lobbying• Party derives financial & personnel resources & influence on Party derives financial & personnel resources & influence on

workersworkers• Convergence of elites & ideology, union leaders become MPsConvergence of elites & ideology, union leaders become MPs• Part of Part of social democratic (SD) typesocial democratic (SD) type: mass parties & : mass parties &

collectivist ideologycollectivist ideology• Contrast Contrast pressure group (PG) pressure group (PG) type of non structured type of non structured

relationship: US unions & Democrats – relies more on relationship: US unions & Democrats – relies more on external lobbying, political campaigning & community external lobbying, political campaigning & community alliancesalliances

Evolving unions/party relationshipEvolving unions/party relationship

• Unions’ political capital & reach reduced by membership Unions’ political capital & reach reduced by membership declinedecline• More easily cast as 1 interest group amongst many More easily cast as 1 interest group amongst many

• Decoupling of unions/party relationship in Decoupling of unions/party relationship in SD types SD types (Hyman (Hyman & Gumbrell-McCormick 2010; Piazza 2001; Upchurch et al. 2009; McIlroy1998; & Gumbrell-McCormick 2010; Piazza 2001; Upchurch et al. 2009; McIlroy1998; Quinn 2010; Lavelle 2010; Griffin et al. 2004)Quinn 2010; Lavelle 2010; Griffin et al. 2004)

• Adoption of neoliberal policy settings & contingent Adoption of neoliberal policy settings & contingent strategic electoral choices by SDPs:strategic electoral choices by SDPs:• Deregulation of economy & labour market: competition & Deregulation of economy & labour market: competition &

flexibilityflexibility• Decline in collectivism in favour of individualist ideologyDecline in collectivism in favour of individualist ideology• Transition from mass bureaucratic to autonomous electoral Transition from mass bureaucratic to autonomous electoral

professional partiesprofessional parties• Emergence of ‘catch-all’ political strategies to appeal to wider Emergence of ‘catch-all’ political strategies to appeal to wider

range of social groups range of social groups (Howell 2000, Manning 1992, Smith 2009, Katz (Howell 2000, Manning 1992, Smith 2009, Katz & Mair 1995)& Mair 1995)

Evolving unions/party relationship 2Evolving unions/party relationship 2

• Decline in % ALP MPs with union official background:Decline in % ALP MPs with union official background:- 79% in 1901 to 44% in 196279% in 1901 to 44% in 1962- stabilised at 45% in 2013 but higher in Senate (55%) than Reps (40%)stabilised at 45% in 2013 but higher in Senate (55%) than Reps (40%)- Deceptive because few of these came through ranks of unionsDeceptive because few of these came through ranks of unions

• Party power & resources shift to MPs & parliamentary Party power & resources shift to MPs & parliamentary leadership leadership - focus groups, polls, electronic mediafocus groups, polls, electronic media

• Small gene pool of MPs: former staffers, union officials (with Small gene pool of MPs: former staffers, union officials (with limited work experience), party functionaries limited work experience), party functionaries

• Existence of highly organised factions contribute to Existence of highly organised factions contribute to centralisation & reduction in role for rank & file members – centralisation & reduction in role for rank & file members – but factions are clans or tribes for distribution of benefits & but factions are clans or tribes for distribution of benefits & power, not ideologicalpower, not ideological

• Increasingly professional isolated political elite – decline in Increasingly professional isolated political elite – decline in membership unsurprising membership unsurprising

Reform proposalsReform proposals• Various ALP reviews since 1979, most recent 2010Various ALP reviews since 1979, most recent 2010

• Centralisation of electoral campaigns, Centralisation of electoral campaigns,

• Improved communication re policyImproved communication re policy

• Partnerships with NGOs & advocacy groups with Partnerships with NGOs & advocacy groups with compatible aimscompatible aims

• US style primaries, & some trialledUS style primaries, & some trialled

• Election of parliamentary leader by caucus & Election of parliamentary leader by caucus & membershipmembership

• Easier online membershipEasier online membership

• Greater membership voice in pre-selection & conferenceGreater membership voice in pre-selection & conference

• Mixed usefulnessMixed usefulness

Reforming unions relationshipReforming unions relationship

• Reform commonly framed as curtailing unions’ importance & Reform commonly framed as curtailing unions’ importance & influenceinfluence

• Union representation at conferences reduced to 50% in 2003, & Union representation at conferences reduced to 50% in 2003, & calls now for further reductions, recently Senator Faulkner to 20%calls now for further reductions, recently Senator Faulkner to 20%

• 2002 review referred to ‘partnership’ with unions2002 review referred to ‘partnership’ with unions• 2010 review refers less extensively & more vaguely to ‘links’ with 2010 review refers less extensively & more vaguely to ‘links’ with

unions, with equal emphasis on other ‘community organisations’unions, with equal emphasis on other ‘community organisations’• Shorten re removing union membership prerequisite for ALP: Shorten re removing union membership prerequisite for ALP: ‘It ‘It

used to be said that Labor was the political arm of the union movement. I’m used to be said that Labor was the political arm of the union movement. I’m saying today , as proud as I am of unions & what they’ve done, that the saying today , as proud as I am of unions & what they’ve done, that the Labor party is the political arm of no one but the Australian people’.Labor party is the political arm of no one but the Australian people’.

• Broad appeal to ‘the people’ traditional & electorally necessaryBroad appeal to ‘the people’ traditional & electorally necessary• But a huge strategic error to further distance ALP But a huge strategic error to further distance ALP

from unionsfrom unions: : still largest representative civil institution in still largest representative civil institution in Australia rivalled only by numbers who at least occasionally Australia rivalled only by numbers who at least occasionally attend religious services – resources & mobilisation potentialattend religious services – resources & mobilisation potential

real problem with the unions/ALP real problem with the unions/ALP relationshiprelationship

• Unions with influence in the ALP are unrepresentative of unionsUnions with influence in the ALP are unrepresentative of unions

• 11 unions account for all ALP MPs with union official background, 11 unions account for all ALP MPs with union official background, 9 of which are affiliated9 of which are affiliated

• Almost half of 39 ALP MPS with union background provided by 3 Almost half of 39 ALP MPS with union background provided by 3 unions: SDA (8), TWU (5), ASU (5)unions: SDA (8), TWU (5), ASU (5)

• Change in union composition:Change in union composition:• Decline in traditional blue-collar union base: mainly ALP affiliatesDecline in traditional blue-collar union base: mainly ALP affiliates• Growth in white-collar, professional & public service unionism: Growth in white-collar, professional & public service unionism:

mainly unaffiliatedmainly unaffiliated• Unionism concentrated in health, education, retail & govt Unionism concentrated in health, education, retail & govt

administrationadministration• Public sector unionism accounts for 41% of all members, density Public sector unionism accounts for 41% of all members, density

42% compared to 12% in private sector42% compared to 12% in private sector

• Problem is influence of small number of unrepresentative union Problem is influence of small number of unrepresentative union bossesbosses

Broadening Broadening repertoires of contentionrepertoires of contention (Gentile (Gentile 2011, 2014; Gentile & Tarrow 2009) 2011, 2014; Gentile & Tarrow 2009)

• Labour repertoiresLabour repertoires: associated with : associated with SD type SD type of unions/party of unions/party relationshiprelationship• Political unionism, collective bargaining & industrial action, based on Political unionism, collective bargaining & industrial action, based on

statutes unions influence through party relationship when in govt.statutes unions influence through party relationship when in govt.• Corporatist (Scandinavia, Germany) or Anglo (Oz, UK, NZ) regimesCorporatist (Scandinavia, Germany) or Anglo (Oz, UK, NZ) regimes

• Citizen repertoiresCitizen repertoires: US style : US style PG type PG type relationshiprelationship• Focus on citizen rights because more embedded & protected than labour Focus on citizen rights because more embedded & protected than labour

rights that have always been more contested in USrights that have always been more contested in US• more widespread as unions declinemore widespread as unions decline• Labour’s legal & political exchange rights constrained & labour Labour’s legal & political exchange rights constrained & labour

decategorised as member of the polity especially in neoliberal regimes decategorised as member of the polity especially in neoliberal regimes • Labour draws on citizen rights & collective action characteristic of social Labour draws on citizen rights & collective action characteristic of social

movements – demonstrations & community action rather than picketsmovements – demonstrations & community action rather than pickets• Strategies for union revitalisation often associated with citizen repertoireStrategies for union revitalisation often associated with citizen repertoire• US unions’ organising model associated with social movement or US unions’ organising model associated with social movement or

community unionism, developing links with broader social & community community unionism, developing links with broader social & community groups – chrches, student groups, environmentalists, NGOs.groups – chrches, student groups, environmentalists, NGOs.

Australian union citizen repertoiresAustralian union citizen repertoires

• ACTU adopted US-style ACTU adopted US-style Organising Works Organising Works program 1994, program 1994, • recruitment & campaigning over key issues, recruitment & campaigning over key issues, • creative campaign tactics, including demonstrations, media creative campaign tactics, including demonstrations, media events, development of strong networks of worker & community activistsevents, development of strong networks of worker & community activists• associated with social movement/community unionismassociated with social movement/community unionism

• Unions relied on community coalitions in 1998 maritime disputeUnions relied on community coalitions in 1998 maritime dispute• ACTU-led Your Rights at Work campaign against WorkChoices 2005-7:ACTU-led Your Rights at Work campaign against WorkChoices 2005-7:

• Unions’ independent mobilisation directed at 2007 electionsUnions’ independent mobilisation directed at 2007 elections• ‘‘union power’ (labour rights) removed from contention: WorkChoices union power’ (labour rights) removed from contention: WorkChoices

framed as threat to individual rights & working conditionsframed as threat to individual rights & working conditions• Information & media campaign, focus groups identified issues for working Information & media campaign, focus groups identified issues for working

families, TV ads based on individualsfamilies, TV ads based on individuals• Unionists mobilised in workplaces, phone & house calls, local events, Unionists mobilised in workplaces, phone & house calls, local events,

onlineonline• Highly successful in shifting IR debate & election results (1929 example Highly successful in shifting IR debate & election results (1929 example

too)too)

• YRaW represents a shift to citizen repertoireYRaW represents a shift to citizen repertoire• Australian unions now have hybrid labour & citizen strategic repertoiresAustralian unions now have hybrid labour & citizen strategic repertoires• Need strategy to build on this for political mobilisationNeed strategy to build on this for political mobilisation

4 Lessons from history4 Lessons from history1.1. Broad appealBroad appeal: alliances with other progressive : alliances with other progressive

organisations in 1890s & selection of diverse range of organisations in 1890s & selection of diverse range of candidates 1890s-1980scandidates 1890s-1980s

2.2. Established party platformEstablished party platform: development & : development & communication of ‘Labor culture’ in 1910 communication of ‘Labor culture’ in 1910 (Dyrenfurth (Dyrenfurth

2012)2012); Whitlam’s platform & ‘mandate’; Whitlam’s platform & ‘mandate’

3.3. Key role in 1890s of peak union councils Key role in 1890s of peak union councils in political in political mobilisation in colonies: in 2 most early successful mobilisation in colonies: in 2 most early successful parties in NSW & Qld., NSW TLC & ALF represented parties in NSW & Qld., NSW TLC & ALF represented most unions, though union density low (20% NSW)most unions, though union density low (20% NSW)

4.4. Local basis of organisationLocal basis of organisation: unions & branches more : unions & branches more localised & autonomous in 1890s & early 1900slocalised & autonomous in 1890s & early 1900s

1 & 2 partially addressed by existing proposals, but not 3 1 & 2 partially addressed by existing proposals, but not 3 & 4& 4

Ways forwardWays forward

1.1. Enhance relationship with ACTU, representing Enhance relationship with ACTU, representing most unionsmost unions

• Can play same political mobilisation role as 1890s peak Can play same political mobilisation role as 1890s peak bodiesbodies

• Draw on Your Rights at Work Campaign 2005-7Draw on Your Rights at Work Campaign 2005-7• ALAC (Australian Labor Advisory Council) previously ALAC (Australian Labor Advisory Council) previously

brought ALP & ACTU leaders together for policy discussion brought ALP & ACTU leaders together for policy discussion dormant for years – could be revived & extendeddormant for years – could be revived & extended

• Norwegian Labour Party & LO meet weekly in consultative Norwegian Labour Party & LO meet weekly in consultative committeecommittee

• Swedish, Norwegian & (until 1995) Danish parties have Swedish, Norwegian & (until 1995) Danish parties have peak body representation on SDP executives peak body representation on SDP executives

• Political mobilisation around platform beforehand rather Political mobilisation around platform beforehand rather than reacting to policies of Lib/Nat governmentsthan reacting to policies of Lib/Nat governments

Ways forward 2Ways forward 22.2. Replace union affiliation at central or State level with Replace union affiliation at central or State level with

affiliation of union local branches or workplace affiliation of union local branches or workplace groups to local party branches - groups to local party branches - Following Swedish Following Swedish practice practice

• Only where local union groups sufficiently engaged with ALPOnly where local union groups sufficiently engaged with ALP• Could be based on substantial work sites, clusters of work sites, Could be based on substantial work sites, clusters of work sites,

or residential areas with substantial numbers in particular unionsor residential areas with substantial numbers in particular unions• Might require realignment of branch boundaries, or new Might require realignment of branch boundaries, or new

branchesbranches• Advantages: Advantages: Bolster membership at branch levelBolster membership at branch level

• Reduce influence of factions at party conferences by breaking central Reduce influence of factions at party conferences by breaking central control of union bloc votingcontrol of union bloc voting

A renewed A renewed SD type SD type relationship providing opportunity for greater relationship providing opportunity for greater rank & file participation at grass roots plus coordination with rank & file participation at grass roots plus coordination with ACTU representing all unionists.ACTU representing all unionists.

Reinvigorate ALP position as mass party of workers instead of party Reinvigorate ALP position as mass party of workers instead of party of disconnected ‘union bosses’.of disconnected ‘union bosses’.

ConclusionConclusion

• Combination of labour & citizen repertoires to Combination of labour & citizen repertoires to mobilise workers politicallymobilise workers politically